I made my way back through the orchard, careful as to not injury the mare in my arms. I took a proper glance at her. The mares coat was a dark shade of blue which made her look black in the moonlight, her mane and tail were a lighter shade of purple, and I saw that her cutie mark was a star with a tail made of smaller stars. Her mark reminded me of a shooting star but with a finer tail following it.

Me and the crusaders made good headway on our way back to the farmhouse, it didn't take long before the house came into sight.

“Thank goodness!” I state. “Girls can you get the door for me?”

“Sure!” They say, before all of them jump up the main steps and push open the main door.

I look to the clock on the wall, it was two minutes past twelve. I gently drop the mare onto the couch in the living room.

“Apple Bloom, I need anything to help with her wounds, bandages, cleaning fluid, anything that can help.” I say. “I can't heal her surface wounds if her bones are broken, so I need to cover them up.”

“Ah'll get the first aid kit!” Apple Bloom replies before running off.

“Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle. I need you two to watch her, I need to get Applejack.”

“Sure thing brother!” The two fillies reply.

I leave the girls to look after the mare as I make my way up to Applejack's bedroom. I slowly creep along the hallway, making sure I don't step on any creaking floorboard. I finally reach Applejack's place of rest, I press my head against the door and hear a sound of snoring crossed with a feint horse whine. I chuckle behind a hand and quietly open the door, the door creaked but didn't wake anypony up. I let out a breath I was holding and enter the room, closing the door behind me.

I smile as I see the way Applejack was lying on the bed, she was lying belly down and spread eagle. Applejack's position was giving me full view of her goods, I shook my head and proceeded to approach the bed. Applejack's snoring was loud enough to mask my footsteps, my smile grew into a grin as I got within arms reach. I reach out a hand and traced around one of Applejack's cutie marks, getting a small moan and shift in position from my marefriend.

“Yes...Ah want it....” Applejack mumbles in her sleep.

I lean in to one of her ears. “What do you want?” I whisper.

“Ya....Inside me.....”

I chuckle. “Yup, still horny.” I reply, then I suddenly smack Applejack's flank with my hand. The response I get is Applejack shooting awake and almost kicking me in the nuts. I love my new reflexes. “Wakey! Wakey!” I say.

Applejack looks around to me and notices her position. “John! What are ya doing? Why are ya hunched over my flank?”

“I wasn't going to take advantage.” I lean in again and narrow my eyes. “Though I don't think you would have minded.” Applejack's face turns red. “Actually we have a problem, an injured pegasis mare crashed into the clubhouse.”

“Oh Celestia! Is she ok?”

“No, I can see both of her wings are broke and she has probably multiple broken ribs.”

“Why didn't ya take her ta the hospital?”

“It's past one Applejack, hospitals closed.”

“Oh yeah, what do ya need? I suppose that's why ya woke me.”

“Yes, I need you to take a look at her injuries, I don't know much about pony anatomy and don't want to heal her it might make things worse.”

“Ok, where is she?”

“Down stairs on the living room couch, I have the CMC looking over her.”

“Ya left the CMC with her?”

“Of course! The mare isn't going anywhere and Apple Blooms cleaning her surface wounds.”

“Ah guess that's ok then, let's go down.”

I nod my agreement, Applejack opens the bedroom door and heads for the stairs. As we reach the top and begin to descend, Applejack turns to me.

“Ya never answered my question.”

“Which one?”

“Why were ya hunched over my flank?”

“I leaned over your flank to whisper in your ear, nothing more.”

“Likely story.”

“I swear on the moon.” I raise a hand. “I wasn't going to rut you while you were asleep.”

“Shame.” Applejack replies. I almost fall down the stairs. Applejack just chuckles as we reach the bottom and turn into the living room.

The CMC were completing my instructions to the best of their ability, Apple Bloom was cleaning and wiping away any blood from the mares wounds and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were holding the first aid kit and cleaning water.

“How's she doing girls?” I ask, as I enter the room.

“Ah don't know! She hasn't moved, ah think she's hurt more than we think.” Apple Bloom replies, the look of concern evident on her face.

“Ya sure ya can't heal her?” Applejack asks, turning to face me.

“Like I said before, I don't know much about pony anatomy, if I heal her it could make things worse.” I look out the nearest window and see the moon high in the sky. “But there is one pony that does know your anatomy.”

“Who's that?”

“Just you wait.” I say, getting up and walking to the front door. “I just need to make a call.”

Applejack looks at me with confusion, I look back and smile.

“Don't worry, she can help.” I walk out the front door and stand on the porch. I look up at the moon. “Luna? I don't know if you can hear me, but I have a mare here that is in need of severe healing. I can't do it but I know you can! Please if you can hear me, help her.” I continue to stare at the moon for several minutes. When nothing happens I sigh, I turn back to the house when a bright flash appears behind me. I turn.

“Greetings my champion.” Luna says. “I heard your call.” Luna walks up to me and smiles. “I'm sorry it took awhile to respond, I was engaged.”

“I'm glad you did, I don't know much about pony anatomy but I know you do.”

“Yes, I shall see this mare.”

I approach the front door and push it open, I gesture for Luna to enter.

“Such a gentlecolt.”

“I do my best.” I chuckle.

Luna walks passed and into the house, I follow close behind. We both enter the living room as Applejack had taken over Apple Blooms job of cleaning the mare. Applejack turns around and her eyes go wide.

“P-Princess Luna!” Applejack says in a state of shock. “I...”

Luna holds up a hoof. “It is ok dear Applejack, I have come to see to this mare.”

The crusaders bow as Luna walks up to them.

“You must be Johns little sisters, it is nice to finally meet you, even though the circumstances could have been better.”

The crusaders don't look up but reply with a nod each, Luna looks back to me and I shrug. Luna spots the mare and approaches her.

“Oh my she has got some heavy injuries.” Luna uses her horn and a blue light scans over the mare. “Broken ribs, both wings broken, How did you find her?” Luna asks without turning around.

“Actually she found us, the mare collided with the outside of the crusaders clubhouse.” I sigh before stating the next part. “She was being chased.” Luna turns to me and nods her understanding. “I knew she was heavily injured but I didn't want to make things worse. So I brought her here.”

“You did the right thing my champion.” Luna turns to me. “I can heal her but she will be sore for the next few days, I suggest she doesn’t fly.” I nod. “I shall perform the healing spell but after I must speak with you alone John.”

“Of course princess.”

Luna's horn glows as her magic washes over the mare, I hear the slight cracking of bone as her ribs and wings reattach and bond back together. I wince a little, I was never found of the sound of breaking bone, though I did enjoy breaking Weavers wing. I smile as Luna deactivates her horn.

“There, the healing is complete.” Luna states. “I have cast a sedation spell aswell, to let her rest.” Luna moves to the farmhouse front door. “I'm sorry I can't stay but I must be going, could you speak with me a moment John?”

I nod. “Applejack, I'll be back soon.” Applejack nods as she wipes the brow of the sleeping mare.

I follow Luna out onto the front porch, I go to say something but Luna cuts me off.

“My champion, I have a request of you.” Luna sits down. “I know you are not officially my commander yet but I need you to go to the Crystal Empire.” I stare at Luna, my right eyebrow raised. “Oh right! You don't know about the empire yet.”

“Actually I do.” My statement causes Luna to narrow her eyes at me. “The gryphons monitor everything in Equestria, I knew when it appeared. I was confused as to why you want me to go?”

“Well that will save me explaining.” Luna says. “The reason I want you to go is there is going to be a meeting there soon, it's about the new trade routes the empire wants to set up. I can't go because I will be dealing with a problem here but I have sent a letter to Princess Cadence, she says she will honour you as my replacement.”

“Replacement?” I ask.

“Yes, you will handle the Equestrian side of the trade talks, I have given you full authority to act in my stead.”

I was lost for words, seriously I couldn't form a sentence right now. I open my mouth to say something but I just closed it again, I thought it over and finally I bowed.

“I will not let you down Luna.”

I hear a small squee of delight from Luna before she coughs and composes herself.

“I ask for nothing more, but remember John, you are acting on behalf of Equestria. What you do or how you act will be against us aswell not just yourself.”

“I understand, but how far does my authority go?”

“All the way, you can disagree or agree with anything, but it must be in Equestrias best interests.” Luna replies.

“Very well, When do I leave for the talks?”

“I'm afraid you must leave early tomorrow morning, but you can bring two ponies along with you as an entourage, in that aspect I will leave it up to you.” Luna looks up to the moon. “I must go John, I look forward to reading the reports about the talks.” I nod, as Luna disappears in a flash.

I turn back to the main door and push it open, as I go inside Applejack was sitting at the dining table. She looks up as I enter.

“Hows the mare?” I ask.

“She's fine now, bodies all fixed.” Applejack states looking at the mare.

“Do you know her or at least seen here around?” I say, sitting down across the table.

“No, ah've never seen her before, must be new.” Applejack turns back to me. “What did the princess want?”

I sigh and put my fingers together. “Luna wants me to go to the Crystal Empire.” Applejack's eyes widen.

“Why!”

“She wants me to take her place in trade talks with other nations, Luna has already contacted Princess Cadence and I have been accepted as Luna's replacement.”

“Are ya going?”

“Yes, this will be my first official assignment as Luna's commander, I can't say no.” I smile. “There is one good thing thought, I can bring two ponies with me as an escort.” I give Applejack a few quick eyebrow raises.

“Ah can't go, ah have a lot of work on the farm ta do.” Applejack looks down. “But ah'm sure Twilight would go, though ah don't know anypony else that would go. When do ya leave?”

“Early tomorrow.”

“That's short notice, but Twi should still be up in town.”

“Yeah that mare can read.” I chuckle, pushing myself up. “I guess I better go ask her then, you ok me leaving here at this hour?” I grin.

“Just git going.” Applejack says pushing me out the door. “Ah will be in bed when ya get back, don't keep me waiting long!”

I smile and walk down the front path to the farmhouse, I hear the door close behind me. I sigh and make my way to town, thought it was almost two in the morning I spotted a pegasi flying overhead, only to have it fall right above me. I dash to the side and catch the falling pony in my arms, I was shocked to find it was....

“Derpy!” I say. “What in Luna's name are you doing out here? At this hour?”

Derpy opens her eyes and smiles at me.

“Are you my guardian angel?” she asks, her words quiet and slurred.

“Derpy, it's me John!” I free one arm and click my fingers over her eyes. “Can you understand me?”

I get a small moan and giggle from her. From what I could see Derpy was drunk but from what I knew about her she never drunk. I leaned in and sniffed her muzzle, though my action caused an unexpected reaction. Derpy turned her head up and kissed me.

“Hmm....Tastes like muffins....” Derpy mumbles before falling asleep.

I was still reeling form the kiss, that seals it then, she's definitely drunk. The weird thing was I couldn't smell anything on her, if she was drinking, she drank odourless beer or something. I sighed and continued towards town, Derpy was snoring softly in my arms.

It took me several minutes to reach town, only to find a young mare looking very worried. As I approached I saw it was Sparkler, Derpy's oldest daughter.

“Sparkler? Can I presume you are looking for a certain mare?” I ask, holding up the sleeping form of her mother.

“John! You found mother! Thank you so much!” Sparkler says, running up to me. “How did you find her?”

“Actually she found me, just dropped right out the sky as I passed underneath, lucky I was there to catch her.” I give Sparkler a concerned look. “Sparkler? Everythings ok at home right?”

“Yes, why do you ask that?”

“You mum seems drunk or at least has the symptoms.”

“Yes, mother has been out of sorts lately, working long hours even through the night.” I see tears forming in Sparklers eyes. “I just don't know what's wrong!” Sparkler starts to cry. “I can't help her if I don't know what's wrong! She won't tell me.”

I place Derpy on the ground and I put a hand on Sparklers shoulder. “Look I’m going away for the next two or three days, if your mother hasn't told you by then what's wrong I’ll talk to her.”

“You will?” Sparkler sniffs.

“Yes, your mum was the first friend I made outside of the element bearers, I hate to see her like this.” I reply.

Sparkler hugs me. “Thank you John, I mean it.”

“It's no problem Sparkler, now do you need help taking her home?” Sparkler shakes her head.

“I can handle it, it was nice seeing you again John.”

“Like wise Sparkler, I'll see you when I get back.” Sparkler smiles as she lifts Derpy in her magic, we both part ways as I head for Twilights home.

I reach Golden Oaks Library and shake my head as I see the lights still on.

“That mare....” I chuckle.

I walk up to the library door and knock twice.

“Coming!” I hear Twilight shout from inside.

“You know I’ve told you about that before!” I shout back.

The library door opens. “Who....? I give Twilight a finger wave. “Oh Brother! What are you doing here?”

“I came to ask if you wanted to go on a small trip to the Crystal Empire?”

“The Crystal Empire? Why?” Twilight asks, moving so I could enter the library.

“Well, I have finally got my first Crescent Guard assignment, and it involves me going to the Crystal Empire.”

Twilight clops her hooves together. “Wonderful! Did Princess Luna give you the mission personally?”

“Yes she did, however it is short notice.”

“How short?” Twilight asks.

“We leave tomorrow morning.”

“What time?”

I go to respond but then remembered I didn't ask. “Good question, I forgot to ask!” As if Luna heard me a scroll appeared in the air next to me, I caught it before it hit the floor and opened it. “It's from Luna.” I pull out three tickets for the train to the Crystal Empire. “these are the tickets for the train ride.” I read more of the letter. “Ah! The train leaves at nine!” I groan a bit, I was never the early type, but my work on the farm and my time away has almost cleared me of it.

“I shall meet you at nine then!” Twilight says. “Who's the other ticket for?”

“Any third pony that wishes to come, though I'm not sure if anypony else is free.”

“What about Applejack?”

“Applejack said she had a lot of work to do on the farm and couldn't make it.”

“Oh well, I’m sure you'll find somepony to take.” Twilight yawns and looks at the clock. “I guess we better get to sleep then, early day tomorrow!”

I nod. “Right my sis, I'll see you tomorrow.” I say, handing over a ticket.

“Thanks brother, see you tomorrow!” Twilight calls as I open the library door and leave.

I walked back through town and headed out towards Sweet Apple Acres. I reached my new home quicker than I thought, I opened the farmhouse front door and entered, I sighed and rubbed my neck. I caught a glimpse of the new house guest still sleeping on the couch, I looked down at the spare ticket and thought to myself. 'Who the hell and I going to give the spare ticket to?' I sighed again and yawned. “Fuck it, I'll deal with it in the morning.” I mumbled, as I made my way up to the bedroom and settle in with my marefriend.